WhatsApp is an American freeware, cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP service owned by Facebook, Inc. the platform has allowed users to send text messages and voice messages, make voice and video calls and share images, documents, user locations, and other media. The social app has seen major growth in Indian region due to its ease of usability and convenience.
But now the Indian users have found a new in-app notification about its new terms of service and privacy policy. The pop-up informed users about the changes made in the privacy policy and terms of service.
The notification read as “WhatsApp is updating its terms and privacy policy.” One of the key changes was “How businesses can use Facebook hosted services to store and manage their WhatsApp chats and How we( WhatsApp) partners with Facebook to offer integrations across the Facebook Company Products,” the WhatsApp notification read.
The new term of service and privacy policy will go live on February 8, 2020. But if users don’t accept the terms and conditions, they will no longer be able to use the app from February 8.
This condition made the messaging app to trend on Twitter with netizens saying that WhatsApp is trying to force users to share their data to Facebook. The app is trying to forcefully make users agree to this policy even if they don’t want their data to be shared and continue to use their service.
Why WhatsApp suddenly changed their privacy policy?
Basically, WhatsApp updated its privacy policy to help the parent company Facebook move forward. It allows them to have more insight into your data and later share it with Facebook Company products to improve infrastructure and delivery systems, safety and security around products
They will process users information to improve and provide relevant offers and ads across the Facebook Company Products.
Analysis of New Privacy Policy
New WhatsApp’s term of service and privacy policy is about to go live on February 8, 2020. Users and even experts are concerned about the new WhatsApp privacy policy update, which looks somewhat tricky.
Users can ignore WhatsApp’s in-app notification of new policy until the final date (8th February). So, why should one worry about WhatsApp’s new term of service and privacy policy. Here are our Analysis and everything you should know of this new term and policy:
• The new WhatsApp in-app notification states users to must agree to the new terms by 8 February 2021, or else lose access to their chats and contacts. This sounds much like a warning, users are forced to share their personal data.
• By Agreeing to it, means WhatsApp can share your personal information with Facebook and other services managed by Mark Zuckerberg like Instagram, Messenger.
What these personal Information and data includes?
I would say these information includes all your device stats counting phone number and even browser information.
Users have to agree to share battery level, signal strength, app version, browser information, mobile network, phone number, mobile operator ISP, language, time zone, IP address, and device operations information (related to Facebook Company Products associated with your device.)
What happens If we Agree?
WhatsApp will almost have control or details of our mobile phone and actions performed using our device on services managed by Mark Zuckerberg like Instagram, Messenger.
WhatsApp can access to most of your information when you agree to new updated privacy policy.
The company has also added a new section called ‘Transactions And Payments Data’. Means, they can collect our transaction information.
What information related to payment & transactions can WhatsApp collect?
The payment or transactions done on any Facebook related services like the purchase of products then the company can process additional information about them.
These information will be about your payment account and transaction information. What is exactly the payment and Transaction Information? It is the details about your payment method, shipping details and transaction amount.
Will WhatsApp collect our messages?
According to WhatsApp, they will store them in an encrypted form for certain conditions, like Forwarded media and undelivered messages.
The undelivered messages will be kept in its encrypted form on WhatsApp servers for up to 30 days. If not delivered with the specific time period, the message will be deleted.
Whatsapp can also store you forwarded media message temporarily
in encrypted form which might later be used to offer better services.
Other information that whatsapp can collect is your cookies, location, ISP address and probably device information.
Well, Whatsapp’s “accept it or leave” message is definitely a concern about privacy.